New Delhi: Telecom regulator TRAI on Wednesday started pre-consultation process for nationwide mobile number portability services that will allow users to retain their numbers even after they shift from one service area to another.

At present, mobile number portability (MNP) services are available within a service area only. With nation-wide MNP services, mobile users can retain their numbers even if they shift from one state to another.

"... Through this pre-consultation paper, the authority is seeking views from stakeholders on various issues," TRAI said in a statement.

The regulator has sought comments from interested parties by March 7 on the method that should be adopted to implement full MNP, porting of mobile number from one service area to another, amendment required in existing regulation, among various other matters.

The Telecom Regulator Authority of India (TRAI) said that there are two MNP service providers at present catering to 22 service areas.

"Implementation of full MNP would mean acceptance of porting request by the recipient operator from a mobile number that may belong to other service area also. Therefore, to implement full mobile number portability, issues relating to processing of porting requests, routing, charging, testing etc need to be identified and addressed," TRAI said.

It added that there will be a need to have connectivity between the two MNP service providers.

"Accordingly, changes will be required in the MNP process," TRAI said.

In the existing MNP regulations the time period for completion of porting for Jammu and Kashmir, North East and Assam is 15 working days whereas in rest of the service areas it is seven working days.